Uncoupling rod assembly

ABSTRACT

An improved uncoupling rod assembly for uncoupling the couplers of a railway car, said assembly including a first rod section and a second rod section which are connected so as to be capable of transmitting turning torque for operating the coupler unlocking mechanism. The connection is flexible, resilient, and normally stiff to hold the rod sections in axial alignment but resiliently flexible upon impacts non-axially applied on the assembly so as to cause binding thereof. The assembly returns to its normal operating position when the force of the impact is removed.

United States Patent Cseri 1 1 Oct. 2, 1973 [54] UNCOUPLING ROD ASSEMBLY 2,973,873 3/l961 Whitchouse ct al. 213/166 [75] Inventor: Zoltan Csen, winnetka, lll. Primary Examiner Drayton E. Hoffman [73] Assignee: Stanray Corporation, Chicago, Ill. Attorne Sabin C. Bronson et al. y

'l 1972 [22] F1 ed May 18, ABSTRACT [21] P 2541475 An improved uncoupling rod assembly for uncoupling the couplers of a railway car, said assembly including 521 U.S. c1. 213/166, 2l3/l62 a first rod Section and a Second rod Section which are [Sl] Int. Cl. B6lg 3/08 connected so as to be capable of transmitting turning [58] Field of Search 2i 3/166-170, torque for Operating the Coupler unlocking mechanism- 219 2 The connection is flexible, resilient, and normally stiff to hold the rod sections in axial alignment but resil- 5 References Cited iently flexible upon impacts non-axially applied on the UNITED STATES PATENTS assembly so as to cause binding thereof. The assembly 15 982 8/1915 t 213/166 returns to its normal operating position when the force y e r 2,356,336 8/1944 I Metzger... 213/166 mpact removed 2,885,095 5/1959 Burke 2l3/l66 12 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures Pmimmw ems SHEET 10F 3 HIM.

Ill 3 IHHII PATENTEU 2575 g 3. 762.575

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UNCOUPLING ROD ASSEMBLY BACKGROUNDSUMMARY DRAWINGS The present invention relates to uncoupling rod assemblies for railway cars and more particularly to a new and improved uncoupling rod assembly particularly suitable for long travel railway vehicle couplers using either a cushion underframe construction or endof-car cushioning.

In long travel cushion railway vehicles the coupler travels a considerable distance relative to the end sill. The uncoupling rod assembly is usually mounted on the car underframe so that the uncoupling rod assembly must be constructed to accommodate the coupler travel whereby the assembly remains engaged therewith. One general type of uncoupling mechanism employs a telescoping arrangement wherein the assembly extends and contracts to accommodate the travel of the coupler toward and away from the end sill.

These telescoping uncoupling assemblies are of relatively complex structure so.that should damage be imparted thereto, difficulty is encountered in making the necessary repairs. Under certain circumstances it is even necessary to replace the entire assembly to achieve the requisite operation.

Unfortunately, elimination of the conditions which may damage the uncoupling rod assembly is not very simple. Damage to the uncoupling rod assembly used with long travel railway vehicle cushioned couplers frequently occurs when passed coupler conditions occur during 'car coupling. To minimize these passed coupler conditions, efforts have beenmade to provide the coupler assemblies with coupler centering devices. However, these devices are not only initiallycostly but also require maintenance so-that such costs are increased.

By the present invention it is proposed to provide an uncoupling rod assembly which overcomes the difficulties encountered heretofore and which is alos of a simple construction and economical to manufacture. I

In the broadest aspects of this invention the uncoupling rod assembly of the present invention comprises generally a first uncoupling rod section and second uncoupling rod section. The'first and'second uncoupling rod sections are connected by means'which normally holds the rod sections in axial alignment and transmits torque from one section to the other. The connecting means is constructed so asto beresiliently yieldable upon the application of nonaxial impacts thereto.

In another aspect of the invention telescoping means are connected to the sections and th connecting means so that the assembly is particularly adjustable for use in long travel railway vehicle cushioned couplers.

In the drawings;

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary top plan view of an end of a railway vehicle underframe and showing theuncoupling rod assembly of the present invention applied thereon.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of FIG. 1.

. FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken generally along the lines 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken generally along the lines 44 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of another embodiment of an uncoupling rod assembly incorporating the structure of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a frontelevational view of the uncoupling rod assembly of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view taken generally along the lines 77 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is top plan view of a third embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of the uncoupling rod assembly of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is top plan view of a fourth embodiment of an uncoupling rod assembly embodying the structure of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a crossectional view taken generally along the lines 12l2 of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a top plan view of still another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 14 is a front elevational view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 13.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings, in particular FIGS. 1-4 the uncoupling rod assembly 10 is illustrated at the end of a railway vehicle underframe 11. The underframe is of the cushion type having a sliding sill 12 movable between the full line position to the phantom line position.

The sliding sill 12 has a bell mouth in which a coupler 13 is mounted for pivotal movement in a generally horizontal plane in the conventional manner. The coupler 13 may be of any one of the standard types and includes a lock lifter 14 which is used to lift the coupler lock and unlock the coupler from engagement with a' coupler on an adjacent car.

The uncoupling rod assembly 10 comprises generally a first uncoupling rod section 16 and a second uncouplingrod section 17. The adjacent ends of a coupling section are connected by means 18 permitting the transmitting of torque from the first section to the second section while bending upon the application of nonaxially applied forces on the connecting means 18.

Further telescoping means 19 (FIG. 3) connect the sections 16 and 17 to the connecting-means 18 to permit lengthwise telescoping movement of the sections relative to each other.

"As shown the uncoupling rod section 16 is in the form of a rod 21 which may be of substantially rectan-.

- corner of the end sill 26. A handle27 extends downwardly and inwardly from the loop 22.

The second uncoupling section 17 is also formed by arod 31 which may also be of rectangular cross section. The rod 31 terminates atone end in a hook 32 which engages the lock lifter 14.

The connecting means 18 comprises two substantially equal lengths of wound wire cables 33 and 34. The cables 33 and 34 are capable of transmitting the torque imposed thereon during lifting'of the handle 27 and thereby rotating the uncoupling section .16, which rotates the second uncoupling section 17, and thereby lifts the lock lifter 14 andunlocks the coupler. The cables 33 and 34 are sufficiently stiff to withstand the loads applied axially thereon but yield as shown in phantom in FIG. 1 upon the application of non-axially applied forces thereon.

As shown particularly in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the cable 34has a first hollow sleeve 36 of a length somewhat greater than half the length of the cable fixed thereto by welding or the like. The weld is made at a band 37 located at one end of the cable 33 and at a central band 38 located about midway of the length thereof. A third band 39 is attached to the other end of cable 33 and is welded to a band 41 fixed to an underlying end of the cable 34. In this connection it is to be noted that the cables are disposed one above the other in a vertically stacked relationship.

One end of a second sleeve 42 is also fixed to the band 41, extends along the cable 34, and is fixed at the other end thereof to a band 43, located substantially midway of the length of the cable 34. The other end of the cable 34 has a band 44 fixed thereto which is welded solely to the overlying band 37. The sleeves 36 and 42 and the cables 33 and 34 are tied together intermediate the ends of the cables by means of a strap 45.

The first sleeve 36 and the second sleeve 42 both include a bore of substantially rectangular cross section to slidably accommodate the rectangular cross section of the rods 21 and 31. As shown, the rod 21 of the uncoupling rod section 16 is slidably and telescopingly accommodated in the sleeve 36. The rod 31 of the uncoupling rod section 17 is telescopingly accommodated in the second sleeve 42. The rods 21 and 31 are thus held in axial alignment in a substantially vertical frame. This is accomplished by the wire cables 33 and 34 which are sufficiently stiff to maintain the aligned relationship of the rods during normal inward and outward movement of the coupler and swinging thereof.

However, should a non-axial impact be applied on the uncoupling rod assembly at either one of the sections 16 or 17 or at the connection 18, the cables 33 and 34 will yield as illustrated in phantom in FIG. 1. When the impact force is removed the rod sections 16 and 17 and the connection 18 return to the full line position, because of the inherent resiliency of the wound wire cables 33 and 34. In this manner the uncoupling rod assembly is capable of assuming impacts wihtout permanent damage being caused.

Referring now to FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 there is shown a second embodiment of the invention wherein like parts are designated the same as the parts in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4. The uncoupling rod assembly 100 includes a first and second rod section 101 and 102. The rod section 101 includes a rod 103 and handle end 104 constructed similarly to the rod 21 of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5. The rod 103 is of substantially circular cross section and terminates in a bent end 105.

The rod section 102 is made from rod 106 also of substantially circular cross section and is formed with a hooked end 107 adapted to be connected to the coupler. The rod 106 terminates at the opposite end in a turned end 108.

The rod 103 is telescopingly received in a sleeve 109 and the rod 106 is telescopingly received in a sleeve 111. The sleeves 109 and 111 are maintained in a horizontal spaced relationship by a connecting means 1 12.

The connecting means 112 comprises a first wound wire cable 113 and a second wound wire cable 114. The wire cable 113 has bands 116 and 117 fixed to teh opposite ends thereof. The wire cable 113 has similar bands 118 and 119. It is also to be noted that the cables 113 and 114 are each substantially twice the length of the sleeves 109 and 111.

The sleeve 109 is welded to the adjacent ends of cables 113 and 114 at the bands 116 and 118 and the sleeve 111 is connected or welded to the opposite ends of the cables at the bands 117 and 119. Thus upon impact in a non axial direction on the assembly, the cables 113 and 114 bend intermediate the ends thereof. The

cables 113 and 114 return the rods 103 and 106 to an axial aligned position after removal of the impact causing force.

Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9 showing a third embodiment of the invention, there is an uncoupling rod assembly 200 in which the telescoping arrangement is omitted. The coupling rod assembly 200 is particularly adaptable for use in standard or non-long-travel railway vehicle couplers.

The assembly 200 includes a section comprising a first rod 201 connected to a section comprising a second rod 202 by means of a wound cable 203 welded to two adjacent ends. The cable 203 will bend upon nonaxial applied forces in a manner similar to that described in connection with the embodiments of FIG.

1-4 and FIGS. 5-7 so that permanent damage will notresult to the assembly.

Turning now to FIGS. 10, 11 and 12, there is shown 7 cally disposed cables 302 and 303 located on opposite sides of the vertical stacked sleeves 36 and 42.

An upper bar 304 is fixed as by welding the upper one of the sleeves 36 and a lower bar 306 is similarly fixed to the lower one of the sleeves 42. The bars 304 and 306 are located substantially midway of the lengths of the sleeves 36 and 42. In this connection it should be noted that the sleeves 36 and 42 are of the same length and are in overlying relationship with the corresponding ends thereof in substantial alignment.

The cables 302 and 303 are attached at its upper and lower ends to the bars 304 and 306 by means of welding at bands 307 fixed to the ends of cables.

Upon a non-axially applied impact the wound cables will tend to unwind so that the rod sections 16 and 17 may assume the position shown in phantom in FIG. 10. Because of the construction of the wound cable the rods will be resilientlyreturned to the full line position when the force is removed.

Referring now to FIGS. 13 and 14 showing another embodimentof the invention, the uncoupling rod assembly 400 includes a first rod section 410, a second section 411, and a flexible connection 412. The first rod section 410 includes a straight rod 413 of substantially rectangular cross section. A handle 414 including a loop 416 which is disposed about the U-bolt attached to the car and sill as described in connection with the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4. The handle which is preferably made of circular rod stock is welded to the straight rod 413.

The second section 411 includes a straight rod 416 to one end of which a hook 417 is fixed as by welding. The hook 417 is preferably made from a circular rod.

The flexible connection 412 includes a pair of vertically spaced and generally horizontally disposed flexible cables or rope wires 418. The opposite ends of the wire ropes 418 are clamped in rigid strap blocks 419 and 421.

A rectangular tube 422' is connected to the upper end of the strap block 419. The block 419 is fixed at an inclined angle to the longitudinal axis of the tube 422 which telescopingly receives the rod 413 of the uncoupling rod section 410. Limiting and preventing detachment of the rod 413 from the tube 422 is an enlarged head 423 fixed as by welding to the end of the rod.

A rectangular tube 424 is fixed to the lower end of the strap block 421 and is inclined in the opposite direction from the block 419. The inclined blocks 419 and 421 are thus operative to maintain the wire cables 418-418 in an arcuate or curved condition but maintaining a sufficient rigidity to hold the tubes 422 and 424 in axial alignment. This permits the rod sections 410 and 411 to telescope relative to each other and thereby accommodate the length of travel of the coupler, Should, however, the uncoupling rod assembly 400 be subject to impact, the wire ropes or cables 418 will bind or curve further to a smaller radius so that the force of impact is dissipated and no damage results to the rods 413 or 416. After the force has been dissipated the assembly returns to the position shown because of the inherent resiliency of the cables.

What is claimed is:

1. An uncoupling rod assembly for railway vehicles, said uncoupling rod assembly comprising a first rod section adapted to be connected at one end for pivotal movement on the frame of said railway vehicle, a second rod section having one end connected to said coupler, and connecting means connecting the other ends of said first and second rod sections for transmitting torque from said first rod section upon pivoting movement thereof to said second rod section, said connecting means being normally axial for maintaining the longitudinal axis of said first rod section in alignment with the longitudinal axis of said second rod and being resiliently yieldable upon non-axial impact thereto whereby upon removal of the non-axial impact said connections return to said normal axial stiff position.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said connecting means is fixedly connected at the opposite ends thereof to the adjacent other ends of said first rod section and said second rod section.

3. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said connecting means includes telescoping means fixedly attached to the opposite ends thereof, and the respective other ends of said first rod section and said second rod section are telescopingly attached thereto.

4. The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein said connecting means comprises wound cable.

5. The invention as defined in claim 4 wherein said connecting means comprises a first wound cable, and a first telescoping means fixed to said first cable, and a second wound cable having a second telescoping means fixed to said second cable, said other end of said rod of said first section being telescopingly connected to said first telescoping means and said other end of said second rod section.

6. The invention as defined in claim 5 wherein said first telescoping means comprises a first sleeve extending substantially coaxially with the cable and substantially along one half the length thereof, and said second telescoping means comprises a second sleeve fixed to the opposite end of the cable and extending substantially along said cable.

7. The invention as defined in claim 6 wherein said first and second said sleeves and said first and second cables are held clamped intermediate the lengths thereof.

8. The invention as defined in claim 7 wherein said first and second sleeves are disposed in vertical relationship.

9. The invention as defined in claim 7 wherein said sleeves are in horizontal side-by-side relationship and said first and second cables are disposed in vertical spaced relationship on opposite sides of said sleeves.

10. The invention as defined in claim 8 wherein said first rod end sections each comprises a rod of substantially rectangular cross section and said first and second sleeves are of rectangular cross section and accommodate said rods slidably therein.

11. The invention as defined in claim 9 wherein said first and second rod sections each include a rod of generally circular cross section and wherein said first and second sleeves are each of circular cross section in which said respective rods are telescopingly slidable.

12. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said connecting means comprises a pair of vertically disposed wound cables, said cables being rigidly connected at the respective upper and lower ends thereof in laterally spaced relationship and wherein a first sleeve means is connected to said upper connecting means, and a second sleeve means is connected to said lower connecting means, said first and second sleeve means being disposed in vertically stacked relationship between said cables, said first and second rod sections being telescopingly received within said first and second sleeve means. 

1. An uncoupling rod assembly for railway vehicles, said uncoupling rod assembly comprising a first rod section adapted to be connected at one end for pivotal movement on the frame of said railway vehicle, a second rod section having one end connected to said coupler, and connecting means connecting the other ends of said first and second rod sections for transmitting torque from said first rod section upon pivoting movement thereof to said second rod section, said connecting means being normally axial for maintaining the longitudinal axis of sAid first rod section in alignment with the longitudinal axis of said second rod and being resiliently yieldable upon non-axial impact thereto whereby upon removal of the non-axial impact said connections return to said normal axial stiff position.
 2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said connecting means is fixedly connected at the opposite ends thereof to the adjacent other ends of said first rod section and said second rod section.
 3. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said connecting means includes telescoping means fixedly attached to the opposite ends thereof, and the respective other ends of said first rod section and said second rod section are telescopingly attached thereto.
 4. The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein said connecting means comprises wound cable.
 5. The invention as defined in claim 4 wherein said connecting means comprises a first wound cable, and a first telescoping means fixed to said first cable, and a second wound cable having a second telescoping means fixed to said second cable, said other end of said rod of said first section being telescopingly connected to said first telescoping means and said other end of said second rod section.
 6. The invention as defined in claim 5 wherein said first telescoping means comprises a first sleeve extending substantially coaxially with the cable and substantially along one half the length thereof, and said second telescoping means comprises a second sleeve fixed to the opposite end of the cable and extending substantially along said cable.
 7. The invention as defined in claim 6 wherein said first and second said sleeves and said first and second cables are held clamped intermediate the lengths thereof.
 8. The invention as defined in claim 7 wherein said first and second sleeves are disposed in vertical relationship.
 9. The invention as defined in claim 7 wherein said sleeves are in horizontal side-by-side relationship and said first and second cables are disposed in vertical spaced relationship on opposite sides of said sleeves.
 10. The invention as defined in claim 8 wherein said first rod end sections each comprises a rod of substantially rectangular cross section and said first and second sleeves are of rectangular cross section and accommodate said rods slidably therein.
 11. The invention as defined in claim 9 wherein said first and second rod sections each include a rod of generally circular cross section and wherein said first and second sleeves are each of circular cross section in which said respective rods are telescopingly slidable.
 12. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said connecting means comprises a pair of vertically disposed wound cables, said cables being rigidly connected at the respective upper and lower ends thereof in laterally spaced relationship and wherein a first sleeve means is connected to said upper connecting means, and a second sleeve means is connected to said lower connecting means, said first and second sleeve means being disposed in vertically stacked relationship between said cables, said first and second rod sections being telescopingly received within said first and second sleeve means. 